Dr Chi-huey Wong: Pushing biotech growth in Taiwan

At the helm of the country's highest research body Academia Sinica, Dr Wong is leading from the front through his path-breaking research and administrative abilities

Dr Chi-Huey Wong won the Nikkei Asia Prize in 2012 for his contribution to science and technology

Scientist, entrepreneur, administrator, adviser. Dr Chi-Huey Wong, the ninth president of Academia Sinica, has donned many hats in his career spanning over 30 years. Now, in his second term as the president of Taiwan's independent research institution, he is still juggling the roles of a researcher, an administrator and chief science adviser to the government in Taiwan.

Since taking over the reigns of Academia Sinica in 2006, Dr Wong has been an important influence in the biotechnology industry of the country. "One of my jobs is to push the biotechnology industry's growth," he says, while discussing his role as the head of the institution.

In the recent past, Taiwan has emerged a strong player in the Asia Pacific. One of the reasons has been its proximity to China, a much desired destination for many multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies hoping to exploit the Asian market. The country is also home to many medical devices companies and is now increasing its focus on biotechnology to promote its healthcare and agriculture sectors. A number of initiatives are aiding drug research and development and setting up of start-ups, while also encouraging industry-academia interaction.

Pioneering research

Dr Chi-Huey Wong won the Nikkei Asia Prize in 2012 for his contribution to science and technology and has many other awards to his credit for research in glycoscience that has the potential of being used in vaccines for cancer and other infectious diseases. "I have been interested in and actively involved in the research of glycoscience in the past 30 years, initially with focus on technology development and then on application to study diseases, especially cancer and infectious disease," he explains. (Read an interview with Dr Chi-huey Wong)